Food Safety

Food Premises & Preparation

Blayney Shire Council is pleased to offer the I'm Alert - Food Safety Course. The "I'm Alert" training program is a self paced user friendly program covering all aspects of food premises safety. "I'm Alert" is recommended for all persons working in food premises. To complete the training simply click on the I'm ALERT Food Safety link and start the course. Some sections of the interactive online training include a quiz. Upon completion of the selected course, a training acknowledgement form can be printed and filed as part of your food safety records.

The Food Authority, in partnership with local government under the Food Regulation Partnership has rigorous regulatory processes in place for industry, to deal with food safety at critical parts of the food chain. We all play a role in the domestic situation - educating people how to avoid food poisoning at home, which accounts for a significant proportion of all food poisoning cases.

New legislation has been implemented in order to promote and ensure safe food handling practices across the state. People who complete the Food Safety Supervisor training will hold a nationally recognised qualification stating they have the skills and knowledge to handle food safely.The Food Safety Supervisor Requirements, sets-out when a Food Safety Supervisor is required in a business and what qualifications are required.

Food Safety Enforcement

While every effort is made by Council from an educational perspective to inform business operators and staff of their food safety responsibilities, it should be recognised that Council also has a regulatory role in enforcing the food laws. As a consequence, from time to time, Council officers undertake regulatory action for breaches of the food laws. This action may arise from a routine inspection of a food business, or as a result of the investigation of a complaint. From an enforcement perspective, Council officers have a number of options, including the issuing of verbal or written warnings for dealing with breaches of the food laws. The circumstances applicable to each situation are considered prior to instigating any form of enforcement action.

The regulatory tools available to Council officers under the Food Act 2003 include the following:

The use of a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN is an on-the-spot fine).

The institution of legal action.

The use of an Improvement Notice to require work to be done with a minimum 24 hours compliance period.

The issuing of a Prohibition Order to require the mandatory closure of a business until a further inspection discloses a satisfactory outcome. A Prohibition Order can also apply to an unsatisfactory food vehicle or a specific appliance.

The power to seize item(s) of food which are considered unsafe for human consumption.

The use of a Notice under Section 124 of the Local Government Act 1993.

In the interests of maintaining general community health standards and preventing potential food poisoning incident(s), Council is anxious to ensure that the food safety and hygiene aspects of each food business are maintained at the highest standard.